Pathologist Dr Walther said Sidney suffered extensive internal and external injuries and would have been killed instantly.

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Forty years ago - 1974

Havering Council was to take urgent action to protect victims of domestic violence and vulnerable children.

The number of suspected cases of battered babies in 1972 was 37 – a four-fold increase on the previous 12 months.

The news also came after the Recorder reported that, in 1972, there had been about 200 cases of women being attacked by their husbands in Hornchurch alone.

The council’s social services committee decided to urgently explore the possibility of setting up short-stay hostels for domestic abuse victims, save from possible closure a Hornchurch hostel for unmarried mothers and their children, and better protect children from harm.

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A 26-year-old man fell 10ft from a helter-skelter.

Paul Selleck, of Alder Avenue, Upminster, was taken to hospital with a broken jaw and cuts to his face after his terrifying ordeal at the Dreamland fun park in Margate, Kent.

He also lost several teeth.

His friend David Jose, who was with him on the ride, said: “I was going down in front of Paul when suddenly he seemed to gain speed rapidly, crashed into me and then flew over the top of me. He went crashing to the bottom.

“Neither of us knew why it happened.”

Mr Jose burnt his hand at the side of the slide and ripped his trousers when Mr Selleck went past him.

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A Canadian couple travelled to Havering-atte-Bower for their wedding.

Roger Pead and Pauline Brockington, of Toronto, had to obtain special dispensation from the Archbishop of Canterbury to marry at St John’s Church.

The couple had moved from Havering five years before and wanted to celebrate their occasion with family and friends.

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A report into fire escapes at council old people’s homes was to be prepared after a blaze.

In May, Hampden Lodge, in Collier Row, had a blaze in one of the bedrooms.

Robert Brown, social security minister, had suggested more efficient escape routes should be put in place when he opened the home two months before the fire.

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Two friends were injured when their car hit a lamppost.

Linda Long, 24, and Donald Chilton, 26, were taken to Harold Wood Hospital.

Driver Linda was kept in for four days with suspected internal injuries, while Donald suffererd a fractured skull.

Linda said: “I suppose we were lucky. I can’t say anything about the accident because I just can’t remember it.”